Dowry dairies: Inside the room where brides prove cost of their abuse
The Special Police Unit for Women and Children in Delhi is managing a high volume of domestic abuse cases, with dowry-related disputes remaining a significant issue. Despite a gradual decline in reported dowry deaths, the capital continues to record the highest number of such cases among major Indian cities.
Why it matters
The persistence of dowry-related violence highlights ongoing social challenges and the critical role of specialized police units in addressing domestic abuse.
New Delhi: The Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC) in Delhi buzzes with activity. Every few minutes, a couple is called into a counselling room, a file lands on an inspector’s desk, while another family takes a seat in the waiting area.On a weekday morning, every chair is occupied, women clutch toddlers too young to understand why they are there, husbands avoid eye contact, and anxious parents wait at the reception.Against the backdrop of rising dowry death cases in the capital, TOI spends time inside SPUWAC to understand what happens long before a woman meets her end.According to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) Crime in India 2024 report, Delhi recorded 109 dowry death cases involving 111 victims in 2024.
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